Why Jose Riveiro is good for SA football – Kermit Erasmus

The Soweto giants beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to defend their MTN8 crown.

Erasmus explained why Riveiro is good for SA football.

"What I can say about the coach is that he's got a lot of patience. He's very motivated, he's passionate about this club, this game and I think in the ways that he's trying to coach us, suites us as South African players," Erasmus said.

Erasmus adds that Riveiro is open-minded.

"He's always open to opinions of what we think as players and he also tries to understand different players and how they behave in certain situations. What drives them or what gets their head down if he's shouting too much," he added.

Pirates finished second behind Sundowns in the DStv Premiership last season, winning both the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup in his maiden year.

Erasmus believes Riveiro has invested a lot of time in understanding the team dynamics.

"He's trying to figure out how to treat every player in the way that's comfortable for them as individuals. I think because of that the unity of the team has been really good and I think he's been great for us as a coach. Always speaking to us, speaking to players, especially the ones that are not playing as regularly as they'd like to because he knows how important making sure that the unity of the team, the harmony of the team is intact. He's been great for us."